Celebrations in Crimea; concerns in Kiev

March 18 - While they celebrate a return to Russia in Crimea, in Kiev residents raise concerns about Moscow's ambitions. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

▲ Hide Transcript

▶ View Transcript

When news reaches Crimea that President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty making the Black Sea peninsula part of Russia -- celebrations.
Putin called Crimea "an inseparable part of Russia."
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SEVASTOPOL RESIDENT IRINA YAROVAYA, SAYING:
"It is such a momentous day today. We want to say that we are very proud of our president, Vladimir Putin, because what we have heard from him just now - all these years we could not even dream to hear that."
A very different scene in Kiev, where they remember the dozens killed in late February in Ukraine's worst violence since Soviet times.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) OLEKSANDR SHKLYAROV, KIEV RESIDENT, SAYING:
"Vladimir Putin turned out to be a simple swindler, a dodger. Having approved the referendum under the barrels of guns. I think that he shamed himself before the whole world. I think that the whole world will end relations with him."
Despite strongly worded condemnations, Western nations have been cautious in their first steps against Moscow. Analysts say the hope is to leave the door open for a diplomatic solution.

Reuters is the news and media division of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Learn more about Thomson Reuters products: